Brent L. Top: Mormon Scholar

Brent L. Top is a professor emeritus of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He served as dean of religious education and as director of the Religious Studies Center. He served as associate dean of religious education from 1997 to 2002. He held the endowed professorship in moral education at BYU for two years. Prior to joining the faculty at BYU in 1987, he was a Seminary and Institute teacher and administrator in the Church Educational System.

Top was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and served a full-time mission to the Denmark Copenhagen Mission. He received a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s degree in instructional media, and a PhD in instructional science and technology—all from BYU.

He is the author of several books, some of which he collaborated on with his wife, Wendy. They are the parents of four children. Their titles include Beyond Death’s Door; Finding Inner Peace; Finding God in the Garden: Planting, Pruning and the Plan of Happiness; and Making the Sabbath a Delight.

His titles include The Life Before; When You Can’t Do It Alone; Forgiveness: Christ’s Priceless Gift; Living Waters: Messages for Latter-Day Disciples from the Life and Teachings of Christ; As One Crying from the Dust; and Follow the Living Prophets. With Bruce Chadwick he wrote Rearing Righteous Youth of Zion and 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know.

Top served as president of the Peoria Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2004 to 2007. He has been a stake president, high councilor, bishop, and counselor in a YSA stake. He was serving as a temple sealer when he and his wife were called to serve president and companion of the Mormon Battalion Historic Site at San Diego.